Indian wedding ceremony itself is a long and stretched out procedure when almost all the Hindu deities are worshipped besides asking them to bless the newly wed couple. The bride along with the bridegroom takes seven steps together around the fire, vowing love and devotion to each other besides agreeing to take good care of each other under all circumstances. There is a bouquet of ceremonies fitting each step of the sacred institution of marriage. Once the main ritual of the marriage ceremony gets over, an exhaustive list of Post Wedding Ceremonies follow it. Of the several Post Wedding Ceremonies in India, a major episode is the Reception Ceremony. In most of the cases, elaborate preparations are made for this post wedding function.

The main objective of the Reception Ceremony in India is to get the bride introduced to the numerous relatives and friends of the groom’s family. Generally this ceremony is held either immediately after the wedding or after some days. In most of the cases, a lavish spread of delectable dishes is on offer for the invitees who come to give their blessings to the newly wed couple. Most of the Reception Ceremony of India bears a festive ambiance. It is like an extension of the marriage festivities, spilling beyond the actual ceremony, over to these reception parties.

Now-a-days, some Indian Reception Ceremony also boasts of an elaborate entertainment element. Music and dance performers are hired to entertain the guests at these Reception Ceremonies. Some receptions even have cultural programs to add a dash of color to the otherwise festive air. However, whatever be the sidekick of these reception ceremonies, the main spotlight stays on the newly wed couple.

If you witness the Wedding Ceremonies in India, you will be overwhelmed by the diverse shades of customs, religion and beliefs that these ceremonies offer. Called Panigrahana in Sanskrit and Vivah in Hindi, Indian weddings are a special affair, to say the least. In Indian culture, marriage is considered to be a union of two souls. Deemed a sacred affair, it is believed that marriage extends beyond a single life time and continues up to seven lives. The auspicious ceremony of marriage is taken to be 13th out of a total of 16 ceremonies in one’s life. Indian marriages are solemnized according to the VEDAS, Hindu religion’s sacred scriptures. Most of these Indian wedding rituals have regional traditions as their base. However, the common tie amongst all these wedding rituals is the fun as well as the excitement which form an integral part. One of the important Post Wedding Ceremonies in India is the Vidai Ceremony.

Indian Vidai Ceremony symbolizes reaching the end of the marriage. Vidai Ceremony in India is an event where emotions run high. It is very common to find the bride’s family members become pretty sentimental along with her friends as well as the relatives. Vidai Ceremony of India symbolizes a new journey for the bride as she departs from her parents’ house to go with her husband. A new life replete with new hopes and dreams beckons her. Vidai Ceremony in India is an affair of both joy and sorrow for the bride. During Indian Vidai Ceremony, the bride’s father formally gives away his daughter to her husband and asks him to protect and take care of his loving daughter.

The funny side of the Vidaai Ceremony in India is that it brings booty for certain people like the sister in-laws. A part of the Indian wedding ceremony is hiding the groom’s shoes subsequent to the marriage ceremony. Generally, the onus of this task rests on the shoulders of the sister in-laws. The sister in-laws, also called saalis, get a variety of gifts like kalichari, a ring made of gold or silver, cash or some other gifts in kind for returning the groom’s shoes.

Nevertheless, the focus of Indian Vidaai Ceremony is on the bride. As she leaves the cherished home of her parents, she hugs her friends and some of the family members. Touching the feet of the elderly and seeking their blessings is also a part of Vidaai. As the bride steps out of the entrance of her house, she throws back a few handfuls of rice over the head as a sign of opulence and wealth. This custom suggests that she is paying her parents back whatever they have given her all these years. At the same time, she is also praying for the prosperity to flourish in this house which was her abode since her birth.

In the final stages of the Indian Vidaai Ceremony, the newly wed couple sits in the car. The brothers and cousins of the brides give a bit of push to the car. It signifies the fact that they have given their sister a push ahead in her new life. Once the last car of the convoy starts, the bride’s family and friends throw coins on the road to thrust aside the evil. In many cases, the younger sister or brother accompanies the bride to her new house to provide her moral support. In South India, the Vidaai Ceremony is called by the name of Kshemadandulu.

Tilak Ceremony is one of the most important Pre Wedding Ceremonies; it holds an important position as regards its auspicious nature in traditional Hindu customs. The Tilak Ceremony varies from one state to another. It is also very different in case of diverse castes and creeds. Among the tribal in India, the Tilak Ceremony holds good, but the way is quite different from its urban counterpart. According the family tradition and culture the Tilak Ceremony is usually held.

Tilak which is also the sign of auspiciousness is generally put by the male members of the groom’s family like uncle, cousin, brother by using Kumkum, the red vermillion. Generally the female members of the family do not put this vermillion.

The ceremony is usually held in the groom’s residence but it is often held in temples so that the groom gets a blessing from Almighty, to prosper from his marriage, have a wider scope, opportunities and have an altogether improvement in life. For example according to the Sikh Mythology it is very essential that the Tilak Ceremony is held in Gurudwaras, so that the chief priest may also recite a hymn to make it more auspicious for the groom.

After the commencement of Tilak Ceremony the bride’s father offers gifts to the groom and also to all other members of the family. Ranging from fruits to clothes, goods and sweets the gifts are regarded as propitious and are distributed among the different members of the groom’s family. In exchange of these gifts, the groom’s father sends sugar, coconut, rice, clothes, jewelry and henna to the bride’s family to be distributed with much merriment among the members of the family. Generally the relatives of the groom’s family carry the objects to the bride’s house with much gaiety.

It is regarded as sacramental for the bride’s family as well. Offering tilak in the forehead of the groom ensures a loving husband for their child, who would take care of her and also shoulder her responsibility all along her life. It is said that marriages are made in heaven, only to be conducted on the earth and truly, the Tilak ceremony speak volumes about the Indian customs.

Another form of Tilak Ceremony is the Chenky ceremony in which the bride and her mother do not attend the ceremony. But the male family members along with other members of the family are allowed to attend the ceremony and joyously participate in the function accompanied by lively dance shows, music and often vocal music from traditional Indian customs.

Sometimes the Tilak and Mehendi Ceremonies are held together. This is especially done in order to reduce the cost and to make the hassles of two consecutive ceremonies for both the bride as well as the groom. This merging also makes way for more entertainment and joyfulness.

Tilak Ceremony is therefore one of the most important Wedding Ceremonies in India, which is the most grand of all the Pre Wedding Ceremonies.

Indian Weddings signify much more than decorations, fineries, entertainment, wedding planners, mehendiwalis and flowers. Most importantly it is the union of two like minded hearts. Secondly it is a bond not only of two people for a lifetime commitment but also between two families. Hindu marriages deal with elaborate occasions of rituals, customs and norms. Traditional Hindu marriage ceremonies last for almost four to five days at a stretch. Sangeet Ceremonies forms an integral part of the Indian wedding Ceremonies.

In India people’s wealth, status, religion and language differ. Marriage customs and ceremonies vary accordingly. Basically Sangeet Ceremonies are usually held after The Mehendi Ceremony. The women folk of the household gather around the bride. This is followed by fun, frolic, dance and traditional wedding songs.

Traditionally speaking the Sangeet Ceremonies are very much a part of the formal engagement or the Sagaai program that takes place a few days before the main wedding. It is generally celebrated by North Indian families. However in recent times Sangeet has made its presence felt even in South India. The concept of Sangeet though traditional and age old, is in vogue. Many wedding planners swear by it and says it add the fun dimension to any marriage ceremony. Professional help are also taken to prepare for the occasion. Theme Sangeets are the in thing and enacted with much vigor.

The theme of these Sangeet Ceremonies revolve between the bride and groom – their love life, how they fell in love, how they met, and likewise. The dances are well choreographed and practiced.

Sangeet Ceremonies are given a magnificent proportion if it’s the Pre Wedding Ceremonies of any of the celebrities. The Sangeet Ceremonies of Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar in Rajasthan got rave reviews even in foreign dailies.

Even the Sangeet Ceremonies of Abhishek and Aishwarya was celebrated with much pomp and merry making.

The music that is played in the ceremony varies. Bhangra, Indi pop, Hindi film scores, are the common preferences. D.J”s are hired sometimes to make the occasion more lively.

The song and Dance is followed by elaborate dining arrangements.

Moreover Sangeet Ceremonies also give everyone a chance to get together. Relatives travel long distance to be there beside their loved ones on this special occasion. It speaks of the strong sense of intimacy in Indians. It also shows that by nature Indians are social beings.

Celebrated by the Bride’s family, the Mehendi Ceremony is an amusing ritual observance that derives its origin from the Traditional Indian customs. In this ceremony, Mehendi is put in the hands and feet of the bride, in beautiful and intricate designs, especially done with the help of an expert. Mehendi mainly consists of henna paste.

The entire ritual of Mehendi Ceremony has a deeper significance. It signifies love in a marriage and it is highly auspicious if the bride is able to retain her Mehendi for a longer time, since this indicates more love from her husband. The Mehendi Ceremony is accompanied with great merriment and dancing and the females take a major role in Mehendi Ceremony. Held before a couple of days before marriage, this function is lit up by the colorful dresses, vibrant music, enthusiastic dance and pulsating instrumentals that make it all the more charming.

Mehendi is prepared from dust obtained from finely chopped Henna Leaves. After the Wedding, the bride is not allowed to perform any house work until all the Henna has melted away. It is said that in the Mehendi ceremony the picture of both the bride as well as the groom are drawn over the hands and feet of the bride, and the groom should look for it. Till then, the marriage does not commence.

Henna otherwise called Hawsonia inermis, is alternately called Henne; the various forms are Al-Khanna, Al-henna, Jamaica Mignonette, Mendee, Egyptian Privet, and Smooth Lawsonia. In some other festivals like Karva Chauth, Gangaur, Teej, Holi, Rakhi and Diwali Mehendi is also used.

It is generally grown in hot climates and is abundantly available in India, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Malaysia, Persia, Sudan and other North African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The entire plant with its twigs, flowers, leaves are chopped into pieces and afterwards made in form of powder. Hot water is then added to it. On adding Tea, coffee, cloves, tamarind, lemon, sugar various hues are obtained which is strengthened by using different oils. This Henna is used in the Mehendi Ceremony in India.

Indian Marriages are said to involve maximum rituals, traditions and vibrancy otherwise absent in any other marriages around the globe. Marriages are said to be the binding of two hearts rather than anything else, in which two people comes together, chosen by the families mostly, except for love marriages, and solemnly pledge to share every sorrow and joy with one another. The Engagement Ceremony is one of the Pre Wedding Ceremony in which the couple exchanges rings with each other. Therefore it is also known as the Ring Ceremony.

The most vital social event in Indian custom, marriage is based on the early Vedic Concept in which union of two souls and bodies make for a supreme union. The main wedding is elaborate and continue for at least 5 days.. There are numerous Pre Wedding Ceremonies held before the wedding. Engagement Ceremony is one of them.

The theme of engagement is perhaps influenced from the Western Concept. Some say that the wedding ceremonies take a deeper impact only after the advent of the British in India. But Wedding Ceremonies have been of primary importance to the Punjabis, Marathis and few inhabitants of South Indian states as well. But later on the ceremonious Engagement opened its door to the other Indians as well.

Engagement Ceremony in India is known by different names. In some parts of the country it is known as Misri, while in others it is known as Ring Ceremony, still others call it Ashirbad. It is also called Mangni in some other parts of the country. Various are the names, but the significance is all the same. It is tying the knot with another person, whom you have chosen to be your life partner, for whom you should care, have dedication and also responsibility.

On the day of the ceremony of Engagement, the member of the bride and grooms meet and also blesses the couple so that they may lead a very peaceful and happy life. All the blessings are merged with an ardent well wish for one another as the couple exchanges ring, makes the other an integral part of life, and solemnly pledges to be united in both good and bad times.

Wedding is a special occasion for both the bride and the groom. Wedding Ceremonies in India consist of several rites and rituals, starting from the Pre-Wedding Ceremonies and ending in the Post Wedding Ceremonies. After going through all the rituals of the main wedding function, some ceremonies are still left. These are called the post wedding ceremonies. Out of the many Post Wedding Ceremonies in India, some important ones are Vidaai, Dwar-Rokai, Reception, Griha Pravesh, Mooh Dikhai and Pag Phera.

As per Hindu tradition, the rituals of Vidaai are carried out at the site of wedding, which is usually the bride’s home. The Vidaai Ceremony is called by the name of the “bride’s departure”. Vidaai is perhaps the most emotional ritual in the register of Post Wedding Ceremonies of India. During the Vidaai Ceremony, the bride leaves the house of her parents and takes the road leading to her husband’s house. Family and friends of the bride present at the wedding also shower blessings and gifts besides bidding her a tearful farewell.

Wedding Reception Ceremony is one of the substantial Post-wedding rituals in India. It is nothing but a party held after the marriage ceremony is completed, in order to introduce the bride to the relatives and friends. Sometimes, the reception is held immediately after the day of marriage while in some cases it is deferred to the nearest holiday so that a majority of the guests can attend it. However, the details of this reception ceremony vary from one society to another, as each of these societies is guided by their own traditions and norms.

Dwar-Rokai, another important ceremony out of the many Indian Post Wedding Ceremonies, is performed when the newly wed couple reaches the groom’s home. The groom’s sister stops the couple at the entrance of the house. The couple can enter only after giving some gifts to the groom’s sister. During Griha Pravesh, the bride is greeted by her mother-in-law with Aarti and Tilak. The bride enters the house after kicking a rice-filled pot. She generally enters the house using the right foot first as her first step is deemed auspicious. According to the traditions, the new bride is regarded as Goddess Laxmi.

Post Wedding Ceremonies of India also comprise of Mooh Dikhai. During this episode, the bride gets introduced to the groom’s family members. Each member offers the bride some gifts as a welcome gesture. The family members as well as the newly wed couple also take part in a variety of games.

Indian Weddings signify much more than decorations, fineries, entertainment, wedding planners, mehendiwalis and flowers. First and foremost it is the union of two like minded hearts. Secondly it is a bond not only of two people for a lifetime commitment but also between two families. Thirdly Hindu marriages are elaborate occasions of rituals, customs and norms. Traditional Hindu marriage ceremonies last for almost four to five days at a stretch. Pre Wedding Ceremonies in India forms an integral part of the Indian wedding Ceremonies.

Before the main wedding occasion a number of pre wedding factors are taken into consideration. Preparing the bride’s trousseau, fineries, the invitation list, and the venue all calls for hard work and skill. The bride and groom have to go through a number of Pre Wedding Ceremonies in India before she finally ties the knot on the main day. Some of the important Pre Wedding Ceremonies in India are Sangeet, Mehendi, Tilak and Engagement ceremony. In Telegu wedding ritual some of the Pre wedding ceremonies are Muhartam, Pendikoohuru ceremony, Snathakam ritual, Kashi Yatra, Mangala Snanaam Yatra, Aarti, Ganesh and Gauri Puja.

India each region has a different way of celebrating Pre Wedding Ceremonies in India. These ceremonies are as significant as the main marriage ceremony and form an integral part of the whole gamut. Pujas and Yagnas are performed for the well being of the couple. Sangeet Ceremony is an occasion when the bride is blessed by her elders which is then followed by merrymaking, songs and dance. A mehendiwali is called forth on the occasion of Mehendi Ceremony who designs the bride’s hand with intricate patterns. Haldi is also regarded as an auspicious occasion by the Hindus. Both the bride and bride groom are smeared with Haldi. This ceremony is also known as Uptaan elsewhere in India. A paste is made from Turmeric, rosewater and sandalwood. The bride and the groom are barred from seeing each other after this ceremony till the marriage day.

In some parts of India Tilak Ceremony is also significant. The Engagement Ceremony deals with the exchange of rings between the bride and the groom in the presence of a pujari. Generally the marriage date is fixed after the Sagaai or engagement ceremony.

These Pre Wedding Ceremonies in India may be different for the different races and clans. However each of the custom has one thing in common and that is to prepare the bride and the bride groom for the auspicious marriage day. The bride grooms and brides dress in their fineries and are surrounded by all members of the family and friends. The occasions are further enlivened by songs, dance mehendi rituals and general discussions on love, marriage, and after marriage commitments.